ENGL 1720 – Module 8

Breakout Assignment:

In-Class Writing Exercise (7/4):

For the following video, select one of the following questions to respond to the video

  1. As you are studying and working in a secondary language setting (English), how would you describe your identity according to the languages you know? This can include how you see yourself as a friend, a family member, a member of a religion, as an Ethiopian, or a member of one of the many different cultural groups in Ethiopia.
  2. The video describes how multiple pronunciations and, depending upon the version of English dialect your speak, grammars are correct. How can (or does) that impact how you evaluate the dialect of English you speak and write? How do you generally evaluate your English?
  3. In the video, the content creator (Jeff Wiggins) states that “the most important thing to consider when talking about language is whether or not a large enough number of people understand what you’re saying.” Do you agree with this statement? Is the most important part of speaking (and communication) being understood?
In-Class Writing Exercise 9/4):

For the following video, select one of the following questions to respond to the video

  1. While this video from PBS (the American Public Broadcasting System whose goal is to empower individuals to achieve their potential and strengthen the social, democratic, and cultural health of the U.S.) tells the story of the life of only one man among millions, do you think it helps to demonstrate a different, and potentially more important truth, about the United States of America? If yes, what do you think that truth is? If no, what is the value of the story of Mamadou Yarrow?
  2. The story of Mamadou Yarrow is one video out of playlist of six from PBS entitled American Muslims: A history revealed. What do you think the video “reveals” about Muslims in American history? Do you think this is an important story that needs to be shared?
  3. In Module 7, we discussed the role of evidence. What types of evidence do they use to illuminate the life of Mamadou Yarrow? What do you wish you could know about his life that they did not or could not share